James Van Der Beek: ‘I was grabbed by older, powerful men in Hollywood’

James Van Der Beek has revealed his own experience of sexual harassment in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

The 40-year-old actor made his acting debut when he was just 16, appearing in an off-Broadway production of Edward Albee’sFinding The Sun. His career-making role, however, came when he landed the lead in teen TV drama Dawson’s Creek, aged 21. Making a name for himself in Tinseltown at such a young age had its disadvantages though, which James opened up about in a series of tweets on Wednesday night (12Oct17).

Responding to the claims that Weinstein had sexually harassed legions of Hollywood stars over a three-decade period, James revealed his own experience with sexual harassment in the industry, writing:

https://twitter.com/vanderjames/status/918349928547708929

“I’ve had my ass grabbed by older, powerful men, I’ve had them corner me in inappropriate sexual conversations when I was much younger.

I understand the unwarranted shame, powerlessness & inability to blow the whistle. There’s a power dynamic that feels impossible to overcome

What Weinstein is being accused of is criminal. What he’s admitted to is unacceptable – in any industry. I applaud everybody speaking out.”

James isn’t the only male Hollywood star to come forward with a tale of sexual harassment. NFL football player turned actor Terry Crewsrevealed earlier this week that a “high level Hollywood executive” groped him.